Imprinting machine



lf3-5mm@ 3 sheets sheet 2 L. HOPKINSV 'IMPRINTING MACHINE Fued sept. 25,i921 Apr. 10, 1923.

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L. HOFrKlNs MPRLNTING' MACHINE Filed sept. 25, 1921 "s sheets-snee@` sPatented Api'. l0, i923.

LAWN@ PATENT LEONARD HOPKINS, OF PITTSFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR, BYMESNE ASSIGN- MENTS, TO EATON, CRANE a PIKE COMPANY, OF PITTSFIELD,MASSACHUSETTS, A

CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSET'IS.k

IMPRINTING MACHINE.

Application led September 23, 1921. Serial No. 502,650.

To aJZZ whom it may concer/lt Be it known that l, LEONARD HOPKINS, acitizen of the United States of America, residing at Pittsfield, in thecounty of Berkshire and State of Massachusetts, have invented certainnew and useful mprovements in Imprinting Machines, of which thefollowing is a specification.

rlhis invention relates to imprinting` niachines more particularlyadapted for imprinting a name along the edge of the inturned end liap ofan envelope, although it is in no manner restricted to such use.

One object of the invention is to provide a machine of the abovedescribed character,

including a motor and interconnected yoperating mechanism, all mountedupon a single base in a compact form such as to render-the machine as awhole self-contained and portable. The advantage of so constructing themachine as to occupy a minimum amount of space, and in such form that itmay be readily moved from one room to another or from one desk toanother in the same room, will be apparent.

Other important features of the improved machine include a one-wayclutch between the die operating mechanism and the speed reducinggearing by which it is driven. This clutch enables the operative toclamp and adjust the operating position of the imprinting diesirrespective of the movements of the motor and immediately connectedparts.

Among the important features of the invention may also be mentioned animproved adjusting mechanism for the die operating` mechanism; animproved spring buffer to deaden the shock and return movement of thedie carrier; an improved die clamping jai-.v for the movable imprintingdie, and an improved envelope guide for facilitating` the positioning ofthe envelope between the dies.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment ofthe invention- Figure l is a side view of the improved imprintingmachine, certain parts being ini dicated in section and other partsbroken away.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the machine also showing parts in section, andin which certain parts are also broken away.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section through a part of' the machinetaken along the line 3-3 Fig. 2, as viewed in the direction indicated bythe arrows.

Fig. 4 is a vertical transverse section of the machine along the line4-4, Fig. l, as viewed from the direction indicated by the arrows.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the machine in outline, illustrating itstotal length as compared with the length of the motor.

Fig. is a view of the lower jaw of the imprinting press illustrating theenvelope guide, the positionof an envelope in readiness to .be imprintedbeing indicated in v broken lines. v

In Figs. l and 3 the upper and lower imprinting dies are designated 20and 2l. Preferably, the upper die 20 will be constructed of suitablemetal as the female die element of the pair. The lower or counter die 2lwill preferably be formed of plastic material from the upper die 2O in amannei' hereinafter described, so as to serve as the male die element of'the pair.

rlhe die 2O is secured by clamping means, hereinafter described, to anupper jaw or die carrier 22 (Figs. 2 and 3) mounted for reciprocationiii an imprinter head 23 secured by screws or other suitable fasteningdevices, one of which is indicated at 24 Fig. 3) to the front end of thebase or bed plate of the machine, 25.

As a means for reciprocating the die 20,

there is provided a motor 26 secured at the y rearl end of the hase 25,and having a motor shaft 27 connected by gears 28, 29 to a countershaft30. A worm 31 connected to the shaft 30, and worm wheel 32 connected toa drive shaft 33, serves as a speed reducing connection whereby theshaft 33 is rotated by the shaft 30.

The shaft 30, gears 28 and 29, and worm and worin wheel 3l and 32', maybe mounted in a housing 34, suitable bushings `and washers 35, 36 beingemployed to take up wear and render the machine substantially from themotor thereto.

noiseleSs. This housing may be securely mounted upon the machine base bysuitable fastening means such as the screws 36.

The worm wheel 32 is not ixed to the shaft 33, but is journalled thereonand pron vided with a one-way clutch connection which permits rotationof the shaft 33 independent of movement of the shaft 30. This clutchconnection, as best illustrated in Fig. 4, comprises a clutch disk 37,fixed lto the shaft 33, and having teeth 38 adapted to engagecomplementary teeth 39 on the extended face of the worm wheel 32. Thedrive shaft 33 is slidable endwise in its bearings 40, 41, and ismaintained in its normal position with the clutch disk pressed firmlyagainst the worm wheel by means of a spring 42 confined between theinner surface of a gear case cover 43 and a clutch thrust washer 44. Ifdesired, a washer 45, of fibre or other suitable material, may beinserted between the clutch thrust washer and the clutch disk.

The worm wheel 32 may be held in its normal operating relation with theworm 31 by means of a worm wheel thrust washer 46, which may be securedto the worm wheel by suitable fastening devices, as, for example, setscrews 47. If desired, bre washers 48, 49 may be inserted between theworm wheel and housing and between the worm wheel thrust washer and thegear case cover. Rotation of the clutch thrust washer 44 may beprevented by means of the screw key 50, the end of which extends into aslot 51 in the washer, thereby permitting lateral movement thereof. Thescrew key may be firmly held in its engagement with the washer by meansof a lock nut 52.

The shaft 33 is provided with a manual operating wheel 53 v (Figs. 2 and4) connected by means of a suitable spline or key 54, and by means ofwhich the shaft may be shifted laterally and rotated. By means of thishand wheel the shaft may be rotated in an advanced direction, that is,in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figs. l and 3, without rotatingthe worm wheel by which it is connected to the motor. During such rota"tion the spring 42 permits the shaft to move to the right, therebyallowing the teeth 38 to snap over the teeth 37. Or, if desired, thehand wheel may first be thrust as far as possible to the right againstthe opposing effort of the spring 42, after which the drive shaft 33 andconnected parts may be rotated rearwardly, that is, in acounter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Figs. l and 3, withoutrotating the worm wheel and connections The purpose of such manualrotation of the drive shaft will behereinafter explained'.

The 'die carrier 22 is reciprocated on rotation of the drive shaft 33 bymechanism which will now be described. This mechadepress a presser bar57 slidably mounted between upwardly extending guide arms 58 (Fig. 3) ofthe die carrier 22. This Clownward movement of the presser bar 57 iscom- `niunicated to the die carrier by means of a spring 59 (Fig. 3),which prevents undue pressure being exerted between the dies at thelimit of a stroke. The die carrier and presser' bar are maintained intheir proper aligned position during relative movement by means of aguide pin 60 extending into opposed sockets in said parts, and securedto the die carrier by suitable fastening means 6l. The extent ofrelative movement between the die carrier and' presser bar is limited bya pin 62 having its ends headed in the arms 58 ofthe die carrier (Fig.3), and surrounded by a sleeve 63 in an elliptical opening 64 whichtraverses the presser bar. The die carrier'presser bar and connectedparts are no rmally held in elevated position, as illustrated in Fig. 3,by means of a spring 65, one end of which engages the imprinter head andthe other of which engages a lug 66 extending inwardly from the presserbar.

The tappet is slidably mounted in a twopart clamping disk 67, 68 (Figs.3 and 4) having a sliding connection, as by a spline 69 or othersuitable fastening device, with the drive shaft 33. The two parts of theclamping disk may be united by fastening devices such as screws 70, andmay have portions which are normally slightly separated where theyembrace the tappet, said parts being provided with a clamping screw 71by which they may be drawn into firm engagement with the tappet. Anadjusting screw 72, swivelled in the clamping disk by means of thesaddle bolt 73, having a dowel connection with one part of the clampingdisk to prevent lateral movement, has a threaded connection with thetappet by means of which its position with respect to the clamping diskmay be adjusted. This adjustment is effected by first loosening theclamping nut 71, and then turning the adjusting screw 7 2 until thetappet is brought to its desired position, after which the clamping nut7l is again tightened.

Motion is transmitted from the tappet 55 to the rock bar 56 through theintermediary of an adjustable strike plate 74 pivotally mounted at 75 inthe rock bar. A spring 76, having one end connected to the rock bar andits other end connected to the strike plate, normally tends to maintainsaid plate in iirm engagement with the end of an adviusting screw 77,having a knurled head 78 by which it may be rotated to vary the positionof the strike plate. This adjusting screw is provided with a star wheel79 adapted to be engaged by a detent 80 secured to the rock bar andthereby heldin any position of adjustment to which it is moved.

To receive and deaden the shock at the end of the return stroke of thedie carrier and rock bar when released by the tappet, there is provideda buffer 8l mounted in a. buffer head 82, and having a spring 88 bywhich it is maintained in a normal position determined by the setting ofloci: nuts 84.. a washer 85 being inserted7 if desired, be tween thelock nuts and said head. A plug 86, of ibre or other suitable material,is secured in the lower end of the buffer to receive the impact impartedby the rock bar. rihe die 2O may be secured to the lower end of the diecarrier 22 between a stationary jaw 87 extending from said carrier and ajaw 88 at one end of a lever 89, pivoted at 90within bearing elements 91secured to opposite sides of the die carrier. As a means for renderingthe jaw 88 effective and ineffective at will, there is provided anoperating member comprisi'ng a disk 92 pivoted at 93 to the die carrier,and having a periphery varying in thickness so as to constitute a camwhich lies between the surface of the die carrier and the upper end 9eof the lever 89. A finger piece 95, extending upwardly from the disk 92,serves as mea-ns for rotating said operating member and thereby clampingthe jaw 88 against the die.

As a means for accurately positioning an envelope to be imprinted withrespect to the dies, there are provided at opposite sides of theimprinter head stop plates 96 (Fig. i) which maybe adjustably secured tosaid head by means of clamp screws 97.

To further facilitate the accurate adjustment of an envelope to beimprinted between the imprinter dies, the invention includes a separableenvelope guide 98 (Fig. 3) which may be attached to the front of thelower imprinter. jaw by means of dowel pins or other suitable fasteningdevices 99. rl`his guide comprises a nose piece forming an extension ofthe stationary jaw, and having upper and lower surfaces converging to athin front edge 100 adapted to receive the envelope. The upper surfaceis preferably elet/ated slightly above the level of the part of thestationary jaw which supports they lower printing die 2l7 therebyfacilitating the guiding of the part of the envelope which is to beprinted over the type on said die. The guide may have one or both endsbevelled, as indicated at lOl, 102 (Fig. `6), at an angle correspondingwith that between the end of an envelope and the exposed edge of itsinturned end iiap. llhe envelope to be imprinted is slipped over theguide with the inturned flap uppermost until the edge of said flap abutsagainst the stop plates 9G. The bodyportion and enclosing flap of theenvelope will be passed below the imprinter guide, so that the guide andforward edge of the stationary jaw will extend between the body portionand the flap to be imprinted. The position of the name to be im' printedalong the edge of the inturned end flap may be gauged by moving theenvelope edgewise until its end comes in Contact with the beveled end ofthe envelope guide, illustrated in Fig. 6.

it will be apparent that a device of this character is adapted toimprint envelopes irrespective of their size, and by making the envelopeguide detachable the machine is adapted to imprint envelopes in whichthe angle between the exposed edge of the inturnod flap and the end ofthe envelope varies from that illustrated in Fig. 6. All that isrequired to adapt the machine for the imprinting of envelopes in whichthe inturned flap has an edge of different inclination, is to remove theenvelope guide and substitute therefor another guide having its endbevelled at the proper angle.

Although the beveling of the ends of the envelope guide to conform withthe angle between the envelope end and the exposed edge of the inturnedend flap is a desirable feature it is7 of course7 not essential.Envelopes having end flaps of different angularity might be imprintedwithout changing` the guide and without the use of a` guide having abeveled end.

lt is usual to rst prepare a die 2O of metal, having the letters of thename to beimprinted depressed therein so that this die forms the femaleelement of the pair. This die is then used as a matrix from which thecounter die 2l may be formed. To this end a piece of plastic material ofapproximately the same surface area as the die 2O is placed in contactwith said die. after first being reduced to a plastic condition byheating. The contacting` die and plastic material are then placed in asmall press and subjected to sufficient pressure to form the raisedletters upon the counter die. rlhe plastic element is then trimmed tomore nearly the same area as the female die, and a coating of glue isapplied to its under surface. The two elements, while still in contact,are then placed under the die carrier', and the carrier is lowered so asto rmly press the two die elements against the lower jaw. This iseffected. irrespective of the position of the motor shaft, by turningthe hand wheel. 53 in a manner heretofore explained. The female die isthen clamped to the die carrier by partial rotation of the finger piece95'. llllhen the glue has had suiiicient time to set the die carrier 22may be elevated, thereby separating the male and female die elements 20,2l. and the machine will then be in readiness fcr operation.

Although any suitable plastic material may be used for the constructionof the counter die 2l, l have found that a material Well adapted forsuch purpose is employed in the construction of phonograph records `incommon use. its a matter of economy, therefore, it has been practicableto use pieces of old phonogrzuah records as the material from which toAconstruct the counter die.

The normal elevated position. of the die carrier may be adjusted byvarying the position of the buffer Sl and its plug 86. T his adjustmentmay be effected by properly positioning the lock nuts Sii on the buffer.

rllhe extent te which the die carrier will he depressed, and thepressure which will be exerted between the imprinting dies, may beroughly adjusted by varying the position of the tappet as hcreinbeforedescribed. A final adjustment of the pressure between the printing diesmay be effected by rotating the knurled head 78, and thereby varying theposition of the strike 74 in t-he rock arm 56.

lt will be apparent from the foregoing description that the ii'nprovedimprinting machine herein. disclosed comprises a compact,self-contained, portable device, which is economical of space and is. atthe same time, adapted for accurate adjust-ment. lt is also adapted fora varied use in the printing of envelopes Widely differing in size,thickness and shape.

riilthough the invention has herein been illustrated and described inits preferred form, it will be understood that it is not intended to herestricted to the particular form disclosed, but that the same may bemodified to suit the taste and skill of the designer Within the .scopeof 'the appended claims.

l. A compact, self-contained, portable, im-

Vprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft,an operating connection between said shaft and said carrier, a motor,and a speed reducing driving connection from said motor to said. shaft,said parts being mounted upon a single base with the motor shaft and tiedrive shaft disposed at right angles to each other and at substantiallythel same level, the speed reducing connections being geared to the`motor shaft and disposed in parallel relation therewith, and having aworm and Worm Wheel connection with the drive shaft, whereby therelation of parts is such that the space occupied by the entire machine,including said motor, is not materially greater than twice that occupiedby the motor alone. Y

2. A machine, as speciiied in claim l, having the motor positioned atthe rear of the die carrier, and all parts of the machine including themotor confined within a space not materially exceeding the motor inheight and Width, and not materially more than tivice as long.

3. fr compact, self-contained, portable, imprinting machine comprising areciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, an operating connectionbet-Ween said shaft and said carrier, a motor, speed reducing drivingconnection from said motor to said shaft, a clutch between said drivingconnection and said operating connection, and manually controlled meansfor disconnecting said clutch and rotating said driving shaftindependently of said motor and speed reducing driving connection.

t. A compact, self-contained, portable, imprinting machine comprising areciprocating die carrier, a drive shaft, an operating connectionbetween said shaft and said carrier, a motona worm having a drivingconnec tion from said motor, a Worm Wheel journaled on said drivingshaft, a clutch connecting said worm Wheel with said shaft, and manuallycontrolled means for disconnecting said clutch and rotating said drivingshaft independently of said motor and connected worm and Worm wheel. v

An imprinting machine comprising al reciprocating die carrier, a driveshaft, and a quick return operating connection between said shaft andsaid car 1ier, said operating connection comprising a rock bar havingone end so positioned that it may engage and depress said carrier, astrike mounted in the other end of `said bar, a. tappet mounted on saidshaft in a position such that it may engage said strike and thereby rocksaid bar, and means for adjusting the. position of said strike in saidbar so as to vary the effect of said tappet on said carrier.

6. An imprinting machine, as defined in claim 5, having means foreffecting an adjustment of the tappet in its mounting on the driveshaft, whereby may be edected an approximate adiustment of the operatingconnectionbetiveen said shaft and the carrier` the means for adjustingthe position of the strike in the rock bar serving as means foreffecting the final adjustment of said operating connection.

'a'. in imprinting` machine, as defined in claim in which the strike ispivotally mounted in one end of the rock bar and is provided with aspring normally tending to move it to its least effective position Withrespect to the tappet, a set-screw being provided to engage and movesaid strike against the effort or said spring` to the desired positionof adjustment.

8. in imprinting machine, as defined in claim 5in Which the strike ispivotally mounted in one end of the rock bar and is provided Withaspring normally tending to move it to its least effective position withrespect to the tappet, a set-screw being provided to engage and movesaid strilre against the effort of said spring to the desired positionof adjustment, said set-screw being provided with a head whereby it maybe rotated and with springdetent means normally tending to maintain itin any position of adjustment to which it is used.

9. An imprinting machine comprising a reciprocating die carrier7 a driveshaft, and a quick return operating connection between said shaft andsaid carrier. said operating connection comprising a rock bar having oneend so positioned that it may engage and depress said carrier, a tappetmounted on said shaft in a position such that it may first engage theother end of said bar and rock the same and then move clear ot said barso as to release it, a spring to ett'ect a quick return of said carrierand rock bar when released by said tappet, and a spring bu'er to receiveand ease the blow imparted by said parts at the ends of their returnmovements.

10. An imprinting machine, as specitied'in claim 9, having means foradjusting the normal position of the buffer, and thereby varying thenormal position of the carrier and rock bar.

11. ln an imprinting machine7 a reciprocating die carrier having a xeddiereceiving jaw, a lever pivoted to said carrier having at one end amovable die receiving jaw, said jaws cooperating to form a die clamp,and an operating member pivoted to said carrier, said operating memberhaving a cam portion and means whereby Said cam portion may be forcedbetween the other end of said lever and said carrier and therehy movesaid jaw to clamping position.

12. ln an imprinting machine, the die clamping means specified in claim11, in which the operating member comprises a pivoted disc having aperiphery of gradually varying thiclrness to form the cam portion, and alaterally extending finger piece whereby said disc may be rotated.

13. In an envelope imprinting machine, a. press comprising areciprocating jaw, constituting a carrier for one member of a pair ofdies, a stationary jaw forming a support for the counter die of thepair, a pair of stop plates-adjustably secured at opposite ends of saidstationary jaw, and an envelope guide comprising a nose piece forming anextension of said stationary j aw, said nose piece having upper andlower surfaces converging to a thin front edge and having an endbevelled at an angle corresponding with that between the end of anenvelope and the eX* posed edge of its inturned end nap.

14. ln an envelope imprinting machine, the envelope positioning andprinting means speciied in claim 13,- in which both ends of the envelopeguide are bevelled.

15. In an envelope imprinting machine, the envelope positioning andprinting means specilied in claim 13, in which the envelop guide isreadily detachable from the jaw of which it forms an extension.

In witness whereof, l have hereunto signed my name.

LEONARD HOPKINS.

